Picture a hot summer’s day. An invitation to a luxury event. The contrast of the Norwegian Fjords with the deep forest. The cool blue of the water. The splatter of red blood… Check out the blurb and review below… if I survive the invitation to the party of the year…
Blurb
Welcome to the party of the year. You’ve been invited to an exclusive, luxury event in Norway, hosted by a billionaire. Your moment has finally arrived. But you’re not going for the canapes and champagne. You’re going for revenge.
Where anything is possible. You’ve spent months preparing for this moment. Because you know that beneath the host’s polished public persona, he’s a vicious killer who has murdered several innocent people, including your sister.
Even murder… Then a guest dies in mysterious circumstances, and you begin to wonder… is this a trap? Why does it feel like you’re being watched? And will you ever escape?
*** Everyone is talking about The Serial Killer’s Party! ***
Review
Revenge is the order of the day. The host of the luxurious party of the year isn’t all as you would think. What unfolds is summer vibes that turns into mystery and revenge. It has you on-edge a bit with the characterisations of the rich and the bordering on how far someone is prepared to go to get what they want. This adds a compelling nature and bite to the otherwise, cosy summer feel to the book. Amelia’s story is an interesting one and you can feel her emotions, which leads to understanding her within the immersive, beautiful environment readers find her in.
There is some pockets of suspense with a mysterious disappearance, which adds some intrigue for a while. It isn’t a constant suspense, but I didn’t feel it needed to be, particularly.
I found the book improved and became more compelling and intriguing the further it went on.
It’s a good, well-written book that sits well on a beach or lounging in the garden during the summer holiday period. It’s an invitation you would like to say yes to and be immersed into a darker world in a holiday destination thriller book.
I actually finished Getting Away when I had got away myself for a little while. It felt rather appropriate for a title whilst staying a rare summer’s night away in a hotel. I enjoyed catching up with this family and through their holidays and secrets.
Blurb
Margaret Smith is at the beach. It is a summer day unlike any other Margaret has ever known. The Smith family have left the town where they live and work and go to school and come to a place where the sky is blue, the sand is white, and the sound of the sea surrounds them. An ordinary family discovering the joy of getting away for the first time. Over the course of the coming decades, they will be transformed through their holiday experiences, each new destination a backdrop as the family grows and changes, love stories begin and end — and secrets are revealed. Coming this summer, Getting Away is a dazzlingly ambitious new novel from the author of Waterstones’ Fiction Book of the Month, This Family, and the Costa shortlisted The Stranding.
Review
This is a story of holidays, family, love, loss, secrets. It tells the multi-generational story of the Smith family through the lens of looking back through 90 years holidays, which I thought was a pretty original idea and perfect for the summer holiday period. You can see the passage of time over each holiday and how things have changed in that time. It’s quite thought-provoking in a way about how in certain eras it was about flying for the first time, trying new foods that at first seemed strange. The things that nowadays, we as a human race unfortunately take for granted.
You see how each character grows and evolves, relates to each other and uncovers secrets in this compelling character-driven story. Life hasn’t always been summery and easy for them. Their hardships have been of some of the most challenging people can face. This has issues and topics that bravely are not shied away from and makes for an intriguing story and one where you can really get your teeth into it and be moved by.
I highly recommend this summer generational family saga to read this season with its complex family to follow. Getting Away truly is a book to escape somewhere with and read.
About the Author
Kate Sawyer worked as an actor and producer, and wrote several short films before turning her hand to fiction. She is the author of three novels: the forthcoming Getting Away, Waterstones Fiction Book of The Month, This Family, and her debut novel, The Stranding, which was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, won the East Anglian fiction prize, was adapted for BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime and is being developed for the screen by Fremantle and Afua Hirsch’s production company Born In Me.
When Kate isn’t writing, or talking to other authors about their writing practices for her podcast Novel Experience and as a chair for author events, she works as the Programme Curator for the annual Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival.
After twenty years living in London, she recently returned to her native East Anglia, where she lives with her young daughter.
Interview by Lou with Toby Mitchell The Elmer Adventure
Elmer The Patchwork Elephant is on tour in a highly anticipated, very colourful, very exciting new stage play – The Elmer Adventure, adapted from those worldwide famous books by David McKee. More about that in a moment.
Thanks to The Space InBetween, I have had the absolute pleasure to interview the Award Winning Artistic Director Toby Mitchell from “Tall Stories” (Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo and more… Discover more later in the interview) about this new play suitable for 3 year olds plus.
Welcome Toby to Bookmarks and Stages.
Elmer was created by David McKee and first published by Andersen Press in 1989. There are 30 picture books in the series and more novelty titles. Elmer has since gone on to sell over 10 million copies in over 60 languages. In the original classic book, Elmer realises that it is his differences that make him who he truly is, and these differences are what his friends love about him. ‘The Elmer Adventure’ is a new show that brings together three David McKee stories, ‘Elmer’, ‘Elmer and the Tune’ and ‘Elmer and the Hippos’.
Everyone is invited to come to see the show wearing their most colourful clothes and accessories.
So, on with the interview and some rather fun cast photos. You can find out at the end where you too can join in fun of stories, magical puppetry, playfulness, songs and humour about a quest, friendship, acceptance and more…
1. Who or what inspired you to become a director and what was your pathway into this profession?
I’ve worked as a performer and as a director. When I was performing, I gradually realised that I preferred seeing the whole picture, rather than focusing on a smaller part of it. I originally studied French & German at university (and did loads of music and drama alongside) – I did an MA in Theatre Practice a few years later. Tall Stories was a very small company until we came across The Gruffalo story, just before the book became famous, and excitingly, we managed to get permission to put it on stage!
2. Elmer has had a very long life with many generations of children reading the books, meaning expectations are high. What made you decide to create a live action stage show of Elmer?
The stories are brilliant! Such life and humour and joy. Also, the world loves Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, and 10 million books have been sold internationally. David McKee wrote over 30 Elmer books, which have been translated into more than 50 languages. So we came up with a satisfying way of telling three of the stories together in one show that would involve an exciting onstage journey for our three storytellers/performers too. Elmer is a well-travelled elephant, and that’s why we wanted to bring him to life on stage in a magical way, and we specially developed a life-size puppet for a big reveal.
3. How did you go about getting permission to create the stage show and was this an easy or challenging process?
We were competing against three or four other companies, so it was both exciting and an honour to get the rights! And now, having the opportunity to translate it for the stage has been great fun! As well as co-creating the script, I had a hugely talented creative team on board: designer, composer, lighting designer, sound designer, costume supervisor, and many others. When the audience enters the auditorium, it really feels like they’re stepping into the heart of a magical jungle. At Tall Stories, we have become known for our unique design and audience interactions through all our shows. In particular, we have a style of ‘try it at home’ storytelling, and we know that children re-enact the story and dress up when they are back at home, which is great for their development.
You’ve talked about bringing playfulness and the magical spirit of Elmer to the stage. How was it to get inside the head of a 3 year old plus mindset and direct a play that would hold their attention and create magical memories?
Essentially, I’m still a big kid – many people who work in theatre are. When we bring picture books to life on stage, we’re able to bring so much more to the original text and pictures. The trick is to tell great stories and take your audience (younger and older) seriously. Then you need to add humour, music, songs, and (when needed) puppets. Our near-lifesize Elmer puppet is a thing of beauty. There’s also extra dialogue, jokes, music, puppetry – and we engage with and interact with the audience throughout the show. All of these elements add hugely to the audience’s experience and create great memories for families.
4. How can people find out where to see the play and where can they follow you on social media?
5. Have you any other projects in mind at the moment?
Always! I’m especially proud of our famous adaptation of ‘The Gruffalo’ and our show celebrates its 25th birthday next year! ‘The Smeds and The Smoos’ is currently on tour, and The Gruffalo’s Child is on a national tour from September. Over our 28 years of existence (and 20 years as a charity), we’ve produced over 30 shows. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to spend my life making theatre for young children and families that captures their imaginations.
UK Tour Dates
Fri 27 – Sun 29 June: Norwich Playhouse, Norwich Booking LINK
Sat 5 – Sun 6 July: Chelmsford Civic, Chelmsford Booking LINK
The school gates hold more than a physical entity. If only they could talk. They’d know many secrets, not to mention the parent politics and dynamics. No wonder there is a psychological thriller about this space that is so much more than just a drop-off/pick up point and an entry/exit point to the school grounds… Find out more in the blurb and review below as today is my turn on the Love Books Tours blog tour.
Blurb
First comes gossip … then comes revenge
When single mum Lola Martinez’s son, Luca, starts school, she feels that she’ll never fit in with the yummy mummies in the playground. Confident, married to wealthy men, with ample free time, they are everything she isn’t.
However, Lola is invited into the inner circle, surrounded by seemingly friendly people, even if Lola’s silence about her child’s father puzzles them. Despite herself, Lola quickly becomes involved in playground politics, making as many enemies as friends.
But then Lola is brutally murdered, her death rocking the close-knit community. As the police investigate the case, they discover that Lola was hiding many secrets – as are the mums in her new social circle. But who had the most reason to kill her? And who else might unwittingly hold the answers to what happened that night?
An addictive psychological thriller with an end twist that will make you gasp, for fans of Lisa Jewell, T.M. Logan and Frieda McFadden. If you loved Big Little Lies, you’ll adore this.
Review
Do you fit in at the school gates? Will you dare, even after reading this book, to enter the school gate politics? You may not stay alive. Lola didn’t as her death shows just how things can get so out of hand that murder happens. It’s a good topic to choose to write about and to turn it so vicious that murder actually occurs. It’s quite a page-turner, but underneath that aspect lies a more darker, deeper issue. How people are in cliques, inner circles at these gates and if you’re not part of it, you may be seen as an outsider and treated as such. Although the murder is extreme, there are clearly rooted aspects surrounding that in certain characters that I am sure some parents will recognise, either in others or even themselves.
Tensions rise and secrets are revealed across The School Gates and they’re rather juicy and twisty to read. Chaudhuri certainly knows how to play into the psyche of that of what is a normal everyday task such as taking your kid to school and making it so intriguing and twisty that you want to listen more to the gossip and spy on what people are doing.
This is a sharply observed summer read for the end of the school term.
One of the big trends that is ever growing is books from Japan with their interesting stories that connect with any reader as themes are often universal. Kakigori Summer is both UK and Japanese based. From the shortlisted Costa Book Awards for Faultlines. This is another one to watch out for! Today, I am part of the Compulsive Readers blog tour with a review after the blurb…
Blurb
Sisters Rei, Kiki and Ai have always had to look out for one another – but life has taken them on very different paths.
Eldest daughter Rei is spiky and sensible, distracting herself with an all-consuming job at a financial corporation in London.
Big-hearted Kiki is a single mother in Tokyo, juggling the demands of her young son and the cantankerous elderly residents of the retirement home she works in.
The free-spirited youngest, Ai , is a Japanese pop idol who has found fame and fortune but lost herself along the way. When Ai is embroiled in a scandal and thrust into the spotlight, Rei must pick up the pieces of her family once more.
Over the course of a summer in their childhood home on the Japanese coast, the sisters reunite with their sharp-tongued grandmother, entertain Kiki’s irrepressible son and silently worry about Ai, carefully avoiding the subject of their mother’s death fifteen years before. But silence between sisters can only last for so long . . .
Transporting, funny and moving, Kakigori Summer is an uplifting exploration of love and loss, sisterhood and family, the stories we tell ourselves about the past and how they determine our future.
Review
If you look at Google, Kakigori is a Japanese dessert often served in shops and at festivals in summer. It’s a Japanese shaved ice dessert, often flavoured with syrup and sweetened condensed milk. This book is not syrupy sweet. It does, however have sweet moments and summery vibes on the coast that swings you in the mood for summer and family.
Rei, Kiki and Ai provide an interesting exploration into family life and how paths go in different directions and grief and challenges enter their lives. Big responsibilities and emotions ensue. There are also wonderful uplifting parts in the family ties as you delve into the dynamics and learn more about the sisters.
Kakigori Summer is an absolutely beautifully written book that takes you by the hand into summer and light and shade of family life.
The Beach Cabin Quick Read and Dyslexic Friendly By Fern Britton
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Review by Louise Cannon
The book world is proving that you do not need to be excluded from reading from books when you are diagnosed with Dyslexia. Publishers have been publishing, mostly children’s books, but now Books On The Hill (BOTH) is publishing for the adult dyslexic community. It is proving successful, with many well-known authors attaching themselves to it, with more book titles coming their way soon. Today, I am on the Love Books Group blog tour to review The Beach Cabin. Check out the blurb and then my review below as well as how you can get your hands on a copy.
Blurb
Charlotte and Ed have been drifting apart, and Ed suspects Charlotte is having and affair. He decides that a family holiday in the Cornish village of Pendruggan could be just the thing to get them back on track. But Charlotte has been let down before and braces herself for disappointment.
Together with teenage daughter Alex, younger son Sam, and dog Molly, they set out on their Cornish escape. Will the trip bring the family closer, or is it too little, too late?
Review
The first thing to notice is how the very particular paper used, really makes the words jump off the page, differently from other books. I asked friend Kelley Duke, who is dyslexic what she thought of the text and readability.
She says “the font and text is clear, which makes reading easier.”
The plot itself is summery with bite. Not everything is as smooth and light as the summer air. The prologue allows readers to see what led up to the events that followed. It takes readers to channel 7 and a children’s tv programme, Skool’s Out. It sounds quite fun. That was in 2000, then time whisks onwards to 2015, Pendruggan, Cornwall.
The characterisation of Charlotte and her family are totally relatable as they embark on their escape to Cornwall to bring them closer. There’s a gently paced exploration of family dynamics, the growing apart and trying to bring it back. Some of the emotions that ebb and out, sometimes coming to a crescendo are piercing and all are realistic and relatable.
Fern Britton has captured family dynamics in a realistically compelling manner with the characters propelling the plot along very well.
The Beach Cabin is a book I recommend this summer. It’s a great holiday read for the beach or lounging in the garden or park.
Bookmarks and Stages by Lou 